Adam Smith, Jeremy Hunt's former special adviser who was forced to quit after admitting he had inappropriate contact with News International, will give evidence to the Leveson inquiry on Friday 25 May.

Smith will appear on the same day as Frederic Michel, News Corporation's chief lobbyist, who is at the centre of the row over whether Hunt's office gave Rupert Murdoch's company privileged information about its bid to take over BSkyB in 2010.

Also due to appear next week are senior Labour politicians including Peter Mandelson and Tessa Jowell as well as journalists including Jeremy Paxman and Andrew Marr.

The appearance of Smith could be damaging for Hunt - who has always claimed that improper communications between his office and Michel were the actions of his special adviser and not him.

Labour continues to insist that Hunt broke the ministerial code for failing to supervise his political staff.

As a relatively young former special adviser, Smith won't be used to the kind of cross-examination under oath that appearing before Leveson involves. He can expect to be asked whether Hunt was aware of his communications with Michel and the nature of those exchanges.

Paxman, the BBC's ever-feared interrogator, will find the roles reversed on Wednesday.

Former Defence, and Home Secretary, Lord Reid, will close proceedings on Wednesday.

Smith, who recently resigned as adviser to Jeremy Hunt, will appear on Thursday.

The News Corporation lobbyist is accused of having an overly close relationship to Jeremy Hunt when the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport was considering News Corps bid for BSkyB.